It could still be years away, but the redevelopment of Inlet Park will get considerable discussion when Port Moody politicians sit down to talk budget next year.

On Tuesday, council approved adding the redevelopment plan into the budget process to determine its priority status and funding source.

Essentially the proposed plan would include the development of one soccer field at the westernmost edge of the site, in order to limit the encroachment on the surrounding forest.

The plan also includes a design to accommodate the future development of a field house, warm-up field and parking lot to the east.

The estimated price tag for the first phase is $2.8 million.

While the majority of council voted in favour of adding the project into the budget discussion, many around the table were cautious to note it could be years before anything is built, and would not be a top priority as a capital project.

Instead, there appeared to be consensus a new library would be first on the list.

Coun. Gerry Nuttall said he would support putting a library ahead of the field, but argued the Inlet project should be added to the budget process so the effort so far doesn't die away.

"I think that when they've [city staff] spent this much time and effort and we've all come to a consensus on it, we have to put it into the budget process," he said.

Coun. Rick Glumac agreed, suggesting the project needs to get into the city's five-year plan in order to apply for grants to have the field built.

"We can't do anything unless it's on our five-year plan," he said.

However, Coun. Diana Dilworth voted against putting the project in the budget.

She argued the city doesn't have enough

money to pay for the plan, noting the city still owes money on the recreation centre and public safety building.

She also contends the city has spent thousands of dollars upgrading existing fields in Port Moody and it's time to focus on the library.

"I very strongly believe that our next capital project should be a library," Dilworth said.

The original Inlet Park development study, which was presented to council in May, brought forward three possible future options for the park.

All three options included a field house, but the first included a softball diamond, a small field and 41 parking stalls for a cost of $3.7 million.

But after some discussion, council agreed on a fourth option that will make its way into the budget process.

jdeutsch@thenownews.com